Terms of Service

A binding contract between AstroXchange LLC and all registered users (both buyers and sellers).

Account & eligibility Minimum age requirement: 18 years old. Users must provide accurate registration information. AstroXchange LLC reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts at its discretion.

Platform role & liability AstroXchange LLC is a marketplace intermediary only. It does not own, sell, or ship any items. Limitation of liability clause: AstroXchange LLC is not liable for item condition, seller misrepresentation, shipping loss, or buyer/seller disputes beyond its stated policies. Section 230 and DMCA safe harbor language confirming platform’s role as a passive host of user-generated content.

Transactions & payments All transactions processed through Stripe Connect. No off-platform payments permitted. Fee structure as outlined in Section 1 above. Fees are non-refundable upon transaction completion except as stated in return policies. AstroXchange LLC is the Marketplace Facilitator and is responsible for calculating, collecting, and remitting applicable sales taxes.

Dispute resolution Binding arbitration clause (AAA or JAMS rules recommended) — individual claims only, no class actions. Governing law: Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Informal resolution first: users must attempt to resolve disputes directly before invoking arbitration.

Intellectual property Users grant AstroXchange LLC a license to use listing photos and content for platform operation and promotion. DMCA takedown policy and designated agent contact information. (Note: DMCA agent has already been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.) AstroXchange LLC brand, logo, and site content are owned by AstroXchange LLC.

Prohibited conduct No sale of stolen, counterfeit, or encumbered items. No off-platform transactions or contact solicitation prior to sale completion. No manipulation of the listing chat system or fraudulent listings. No circumvention of the fee structure.

Modifications & termination AstroXchange LLC may modify the ToS at any time with notice to users. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated terms.

Seller Agreement A separate agreement specific to users who list items for sale. In addition to the ToS, sellers must agree to:

Identity verification & KYC Sellers must complete Stripe Connect’s identity verification (KYC) process before receiving any payout. Sellers consent to AstroXchange LLC sharing their identity information with Stripe for KYC and AML compliance purposes. High-volume sellers (>$5,000 gross / >200 transactions in 12 months) are subject to additional verification under the INFORM Consumers Act, including bank account, tax ID, and contact verification.

Listing warranties Seller warrants they legally own the item and have the right to sell it. Seller warrants the listing is accurate, including condition grade, photos, description, serial number, and included accessories. Seller grants AstroXchange LLC the right to reject or remove any listing at its discretion.

Payout terms Payouts initiated via Stripe Connect after a 5-business-day hold following confirmed delivery. Stripe processing fees (~2.9% + $0.30) deducted from payout. AstroXchange LLC commission deducted from payout per the fee structure table. Sellers are responsible for any chargebacks or payment disputes initiated by buyers.

Tax obligations & 1099-K reporting Sellers are solely responsible for reporting and paying applicable income taxes on proceeds from sales. AstroXchange LLC will issue IRS Form 1099-K to sellers who meet the federal reporting threshold ($5,000 in gross sales in 2024 and transitional years; $600 in future years per current IRS guidance — confirm current threshold at time of drafting). Sellers consent to providing their taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN) for 1099-K reporting purposes.

Seller conduct & account standing Sellers must ship within 3 business days of payment confirmation. Sellers must respond to buyer communications within 1 business day. Repeated policy violations, fraudulent listings, or failure to fulfill sales will result in account suspension and may result in legal action.

Legal framework Relevance to AstroXchange LLC Marketplace Facilitator Laws Platform handles transactions; responsible for sales tax collection and remittance in all 50 states via Stripe Tax. KYC / AML (Bank Secrecy Act) Seller identity verification before payout. Handled via Stripe Connect — ToS must confirm user consent. PCI-DSS Credit card data handled exclusively by Stripe. No card data stored by AstroXchange LLC. Money Transmitter Laws Stripe Connect used as licensed processor to avoid MTL requirement. INFORM Consumers Act (2023) High-volume seller verification triggers at $5,000 / 200 transactions. Must be addressed in Seller Agreement. DMCA / Section 230 DMCA agent registered. Safe harbor language needed in ToS. Takedown policy in place. CCPA (California) Privacy policy in draft. ToS should reference user data rights. GDPR (EU) If EU users are permitted, consent language required. Currently US-focused. COPPA Platform restricted to users 18+. Age verification at registration. IRS 1099-K Reporting Seller Agreement must include tax ID collection consent and 1099-K disclosure.